Become A Gardener of Your Soul
“If we could see the miracle of a single flower our whole life would change."
—Gautama Buddha
The new year gives us the chance to start anew. It is a time to identify the "seeds" we would like to plant and cultivate in 2021.
One of the seeds I am planting in 2021 is a new 8-week program I have created called, “Become a Gardener of Your Soul.” At next week’s Soulful Sunday, I will be offering a sneak-peek into the course and guide to you discover your own "seeds" to plant and cultivate.
This year has also brought challenges like no other year. There has been much hardship and loss. Loneliness and isolation have been difficult for many to bear. One of the things I missed the most this year was the loss of touch in my relationships, both personal and professional.
What have you missed the most this year?
Despite these challenges, there have been many gifts. The greatest gifts of 2020 for me and my husband were the birth of our sweet grandson and our son’s engagement. In addition to these blessed events are the hours of deep peace and quiet I enjoyed; a silver-lining in the coronavirus shutdown.
What gifts have you received this year? What are you most grateful for?
The gift of peace and quiet gave me the opportunity to deeply reflect upon both the joys and sorrows of my life. As the end of 2020 nears, I celebrate the gifts and let go of unfulfilled expectations.
What would you like to celebrate? What do you need to let go of?
Enjoying the beautiful peace and quiet of winter in the Berkshires with my family
Throughout the years, I have heard a particular question posed by numerous clients. “What is my purpose?”
It is a question that I, too, have contemplated. In recent years, I have come to understand that our purpose is simply to grow and blossom. This is not a one-time event, but a series of beautiful unfoldings throughout life.
We are all born seeds of creative potential. In our formative years, we are dependent on our parents, other family members and teachers to nurture our potential. As adults, the cultivation of the seed within becomes our responsibility. To do this, we need to identify the conditions that promote our growth. This includes the ability to discern what is life-supporting and what is toxic.
For a seed to grow, it needs to take root. Roots provide stability. Stability instills safety. By rooting our bodies to Mother Earth, the ground for our being, we anchor the soul in the body. This process is called, “embodiment". It is the union of spirit and matter, the fullest expression of our true nature.
Inspiration and passion fertilize our ground for growth. Love and kindness water the seeds of the soul. A radiant smile and warm, soothing touch are like transformative “rays of sunshine”.
Our ability to make use of “weeds”, unwanted, painful life experiences, is also essential for growth. As in any garden, weeds play a vital role. Some offer protection and build the structure of the soil. Many weeds have medicinal value. A gardener of the soul recognizes the value of life’s weeds, assesses how they support or impede growth, and uses their healing properties.
To become a gardener of the soul, patience, commitment, and care are required. Listening to your body’s signals are key to knowing if you are thriving or wilting. When wilting, deeper reflection will help you to determine whether to revive an aspect of your being or let it die so new life can sprout.
Death and rebirth form the cycle of life. This cycle is evident in nature. For those of us experiencing winter, the leaves have fallen, flowers have died and much of nature lies dormant. We can rest assured knowing that in the spring beautiful blossoms will return.
What seeds are ready to take root in you? What conditions and care do you need to blossom?